Herts &amp; Beds


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Artemis1500x1000-1000x667.jpg" alt="Artemis" class="wp-image-94879" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Artemis1500x1000-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Artemis1500x1000-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Artemis1500x1000.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It would be easy to describe Artemis restaurant as a hidden gem. After all, it’s located away from Berkhamsted town centre, in a peaceful setting surrounded by Hockeridge Woods. What’s more, to get to it you have to walk through the shiny lobby of The Denton, an upmarket residence. But once you’ve discovered it, it’s not somewhere you’ll want to keep secret &#8211; it will quickly become the sort of place you’d happily return to again and again.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>The Artemis is based on the ground floor of The Denton. A large, open space it’s full of panache with gleaming floor-to-ceiling windows, mirrored walls and neutral, soothing tones. This is grown-up dining done with sass not stuffiness. A sense of occasion greets you on arrival: think white table napkins, sparkling cutlery and attentive, friendly service. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Bar1500x1000-1000x667.jpg" alt="Artemis bar" class="wp-image-94457" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Bar1500x1000-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Bar1500x1000-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Bar1500x1000.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>An elegant sit-up bar precedes the restaurant and it’s the perfect spot for a pre-lunch or pre-dinner drink. Soft lighting, unobtrusive music and a relaxing ambiance are designed to put you at ease. And oh, it works! The restaurant itself is also a delight. Tables are spread out so there’s no jostling of elbows or eavesdropping on your neighbour’s conversations. The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday and on Sunday’s for special occasions and our visit was just that &#8211; a special occasion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Starter21500x1000-1000x667.jpg" alt="Artemis food" class="wp-image-94460" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Starter21500x1000-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Starter21500x1000-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Starter21500x1000.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There was a fine wine list with a tempting Henri Ehrhart Rosé on the menu but driving duties meant foregoing a glass of vino and opting for a bottle of chilled water instead. It didn’t matter. The mood in the restaurant was so joyful and upbeat it naturally lifted the spirits. The set menu was also a blessing &#8211; no endless dithering over choices. For starters we ordered the grilled prawns and tomato with burrito pesto and crackers. A side of garlic bread also made its way to the table and was devoured within seconds by my daughter. Meanwhile, my nine-year-old son was thoroughly entertained, gleefully pulling the heads and tails off the king prawns. They were plump, juicy and served with a punchy chilli garlic dip. Delicious!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Chicken1500x1000-1000x667.jpg" alt="Artemis lunch" class="wp-image-94459" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Chicken1500x1000-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Chicken1500x1000-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Chicken1500x1000.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For the main course, the options were roast chicken, roast beef or vegetable Wellington. We all settled on the roast chicken. The waitress kindly offered my son a child-sized portion &#8211; though “child-sized” still proved impressively generous. The roast came with all the trimmings: finely sliced parsnips, tenderstem broccoli, perfectly crisp roast potatoes, carrots and a fluffy Yorkshire pudding, with a rich gravy served in its own pot &#8211; a nice touch. Adding to the experience, a singer named Gaynor wove her way around the restaurant, performing well-loved songs and enhancing the celebratory mood. Needless to say, the food was superb and afterwards, despite insisting we were too full, we couldn’t resist a glance at the dessert menu — it would have been rude not to. Fresh fruit salad, raspberry panna cotta and chocolate cheesecake were all on offer. My daughter opted to share the chocolate cheesecake, which arrived thoughtfully with two spoons.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Dessert1500x1000-1000x667.jpg" alt="artemis dessert" class="wp-image-94461" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Dessert1500x1000-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Dessert1500x1000-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/Dessert1500x1000.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>At that exact moment, however, my son urgently needed the bathroom. Promising it would be a quick trip &#8211; and asking his sister to wait &#8211; I whisked him off, only for him to promptly lock himself in. After a slightly fraught few minutes of instructing him to turn the lock anti-clockwise (not clockwise), he was finally freed. But oh, too late. We returned to the table to find the cheesecake gone and my daughter declaring it “the best ever.” </p>



<p>Gaynor did one last round of the floor, stopping at our table to sing to the children, and then it was time to go. Gaynor was a hit with everyone and so was the meal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about">OUT AND ABOUT</h2>



<p>If you fancy rounding off lunch with a walk, you&#8217;re in luck as Berkhamsted is in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and you’ll find trails galore.&nbsp;The nearby Ashridge Estate&nbsp;is a brilliant local National Trust site, with 5,000 acres of ancient woodlands, chalk downlands and open meadows to explore, and you can climb the Bridgewater Monument’s 172 steps for a bird’s eye view of the local area.&nbsp;<a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/ashridge-house-berkhamsted/">Ashridge House</a>&nbsp;is also worth checking out for its gorgeous Italianate gardens and it opens its doors for special events throughout the year too. Plus you can roam the outer grounds for free.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:&nbsp;</strong>Anyone who wants a sophisticated lunch or dinner without pretentious stuffiness. Ideal for romantic Friday dinners, girly lunches, or special family occasions.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:&nbsp;</strong>The restaurant is open at set times only. Tue-Fri lunch 12:00 pm–2:30 pm; Fri dinner 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm; Sat brunch 10:30 am – 2:30 pm; Sunday on special occasions only.</p>



<p><strong>The damage:</strong> A respectable £40 pp for a 3-course meal.</p>



<p><a href="https://elysianresidences.com/our-residences/the-denton-berkhamsted/restaurant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Artemis Bar &amp; Restaurant</a> Shootersway, Berkhamsted HP4 3NG Tel: 01442 902161</p>


Review: Artemis Bar & Restaurant, Berkhamsted

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